HARTLEPOOL United’s latest pre-season run out saw them draw 1-1 with League One side Lincoln City.

After Ben House gave the Imps the lead at the Suit Direct Stadium, Tom Crawford climbed highest to power his header home to hand Pools the equaliser.

Injuries meant the home side were short on numbers but for their first friendly game on home soil this summer, they held out higher league opposition to earn themselves a draw.

“I was really pleased. I thought we did really well today” said manager Paul Hartley. “I thought our shape and work rate was excellent. We could have had three or four goals. Jake (Hastie) has had a couple of great chances.

“On another day we have got to be clinical but overall, the work rate of the team considering we have not got a lot of bodies and we had few subs to make so well done to the players. They have been doing that for the last four weeks. The fitness levels were excellent so really pleased with that.”

Hartley handed a debut to newest signing Josh Umerah. The striker recently penned a two-year contract after moving to the north-east from National League side Wealdstone for an undisclosed fee.

“I thought he was really good” Hartley continued. “Really strong and he got better as the day went on. Holds the ball up well so I think he will do really well for us.”

After Pools added to their attacking ranks earlier in the week, they were hit with another injury setback on the eve of the game. Forward Marcus Carver is now set for a spell on the sidelines and could miss their season opening game against Walsall.

Hartley added: “He (Carver) has got a thigh injury so he is out for the next two to three weeks which is unfortunate. As I say, the numbers we had today were low.

“(Jamie) Sterry had an injury he picked up the other day in training. Muzza (Euan Murray) has been back running so he will be back in with the full group on Tuesday so that is a pleasing thing.”

Pools return to pre-season friendly action later this week when they welcome Jon Dahl Tomasson’s Blackburn Rovers to the Suit Direct Stadium.